Gate-fastener



A. NELLIS. GATE FASTENEB. I APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, I919- v 1,339,781 Patented y 11, 1920.

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gwue'ntox ADDAN NELLIS, OF MONOWI, NEBRASKA.

GATE-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1920.

Application filed June 10, 1919. Serial No. 303,192.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADDAN NELLIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monowi, in the county of Boyd and State of Febraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to pro vide an improved gate fastener whose dominating features are its convenience of appli cation for use and operation and its simplicity, the fastener being capable of economical manufacture.

Another object is the provision of a gate fastener which coacts directly with one of the posts of the gate to lock the latter in closed position, thus dispensing with the usual keeper.

lVith these and other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds the invention comprises the novel features of construction combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be more fully described in the following specification as set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

Figure 1 represents a front elevation showing the improved gate fastener applied to use, and

Fig. 2 represents a horizontal sectional view through the gate structure illustrating the fastener in detail.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numerals 5 and 6 indicate the gate posts constituting the terminals of the gate sections 7 and mounting a support and stop for the gate 8 which is hinged along one edge as indicated at 9 to the post 5 and is engageable along its opposite edge with the other post 6 whereby the closing movement of the gate is limited.

A rock shaft 10 is rotatably mounted in vertical position upon one of the vertical members of the gate 8 remote from the hinges 9 and, for the sake of economy, is supported in ordinary staples 11, although more elaborate bearing members may be utilized if desired. The upper terminal of the shaft 10 is directed laterally as at 12 over the uppermost staple 11 whereby the downward movement of the shaft is limited 14 of which is arranged to engage behind the gate post 6 to lock the gate in closed position. The; terminal of the beak 14 is connected with a curved deflector member 15 engageable, during the closing movement of the gate 8 with the post 6 to automatically rock the shaft or shank 10 and permit the gate to move into abutting relation with the post 6.

The lower terminal of the shaft is i11- tegrally connected with a substantially L- shaped arm 16 having an apertured terminal 1.7 extending through the vertical members of the gate structure 5 and connected by a contractile spring 18 with an eye-bolt 19 suitably fastened to the gate 8 and exercising such influence upon the arm as to normally tend to rock the shaft 10 in such direction as to move the lateral extension 12 thereof into facial abutment with the end member of the gate. Subsequent to the deflection of the fastening element by engagement of the curved member 15 with the post 16, the shaft 19 is rocked under the influence of the spring 18 to cause the beak 14 of the hook to engage behind the post 6 and thus lock the gate in closed position. The curved member 15 in addition to providing a deflecting element for the fastener constitutes a convenient handle by which the fastener may be readily moved to inoperative position to permit the gate to be moved to an open position.

What is claimed is:

1. A gate fastener including an integral latch comprising a rock shaft rotatably mounted on the end post of the gate, a coil spring on the gate, an arm on the rock shaft extending through the gate and engaging the coil spring, a second arm on the shaft extending part way about the end post of the gate, and bent intermediate its extremities to form a latch for engaging a gate post to hold the gate closed, and an extension on the second arm constituting a deflector and an operating member for unhooking the latch against the tension of the coil spring.

2. A gate fastener including an integral latch, comprising a vertically extending rotatably mounted rock shaft on the end post of the gate, a coil spring on the gate, an arm on one end of the rock shaft bent at right angles thereto and then laterally and extending through the gate to engage the coil spring, a second arm on the other end of the rock shaft and bent at rightangles thereto and laterally to partially embrace the end post of the gate, said second arm bent lntermedlate its extremltles to form a latch for engaging a gate post to hold the gate closed, and a curved extension on the second arm constituting a deflector and an operating member for unhooking the latch against the tension of the coil spring.

In testimony whereof, I afllx my signature hereto.

ADDAN NELLIS. 

